Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage isn't a groundbreaking game. It isn't even very good looking (sans the cutscenes which run at a very smooth 60fps), but it is a hell of a lot of fun to play. The game tells a portion of the story from the original manga series, and while there are some great looking cutscenes throughout, there's a lot of the story missing here. It only hits on the majorFist of the North Star: Ken's Rage isn't a groundbreaking game. It isn't even very good looking (sans the cutscenes which run at a very smooth 60fps), but it is a hell of a lot of fun to play. The game tells a portion of the story from the original manga series, and while there are some great looking cutscenes throughout, there's a lot of the story missing here. It only hits on the major action set pieces, and throughout playing it, you'll realize there happens to be a good bit of story missing here. However, even if Fist of the North Star is a dearly beloved manga series, I don't think anyone will be worried too much with how this game's story folds out. It does get the job done. The main reason to play this is for the gameplay, and that's where this game shines. It's a straightforward Dynasty Warriors style beat 'em up, and this is easily the best game in the genre. When playing as Kenshiro, you don't use weapons. Unless you count those ridiculously badass fists of his as weapons; and you should. The moves and brutal violence in this game are completely over the top, and this game is better for it. When you punch 4 or 5 people at the same time in the face and watch their heads f-ing EXPLODE, you'll feel accomplished. The really amazing thing about that is there's no tongue in cheek humor here regarding the violence. The game plays it straight, and it really fits in well with Fist of the North Star canon. The levels in this game are absolutely massive for the type of game this is, and some can take 45 minutes to an hour to complete. All the while facing off hordes of gang members. At the end of each level, you'll face a boss. While some people would call these bosses cheap, I call them an accomplishment. I feel like it's been a long, long time since I've faced so many bosses that were this good. Sure, they can block your attacks, once you break their defense with, say, a kick, it's hard to situate yourself to attack before they get their guard back up, but the more you play this game, the more you'll be thankful for these bosses. They help make an otherwise mediocre game great. Plus, if you learn to use the skill tree in the meridian chart correctly, you won't have much trouble. Still a challenge, but minimal trouble. Speaking of the meridian chart, that is this game's way of leveling up your character. And oh boy, this thing right here, really, really makes this game much deeper than it ever deserved to be. FOTNS:KR could have really suffered the fate of being a flat out boring game. The core gameplay here is decent enough, but once you add the leveling system with these outstanding boss battles, you're left with a great game. My first playthrough of this lasted around 20 hours or so, and that was with one character. There are more characters to unlock in the main story mode, "legend mode," to make this game much longer. Then there's dream mode, another story mode in this game with even more characters to unlock. Dream mode plays like a classic Dynasty Warriors game, with spots on the map to capture before the enemy does, and again, this makes an otherwise mediocre game so much more deep than it deserves, and it definitely benefits from this. Then there are the special moves. OH. MY. GOD. I don't even have words for these. They're amazing, and some of the most badass stuff you'll ever see in a video game. Just take my word for it. These are half the reason to play this game. All in all, Ken's rage doesn't look great, the metal music in the background can be annoying if that's not your thing, and the graphics can be somewhat drab. With all that being said, this is still one of my favorite video games ever made. It takes the beat 'em up/brawler genre and really runs with it. You'll have so much fun taking down wave after wave of enemies in so many different ways, that the rest of the game's presentation is forgivable. Just wait until you get to a rather tough boss fight and the game gets really intense. It's a wonderful experience. Ken's Rage is a game that deserves to be played. It's a callback to the great beat 'em ups of the 16-bit era, except that this is a third person 3D game. That's the only difference. Every time I play this, I feel like I'm playing a much deeper version of Final Fight or something in that vein. Pick this one up, it's a great title with some very, very brutal gameplay Great boss fights. Great special moves. Great cutscenes. Absolutely amazing game.…Collapse

Great graphics and story. I didn't read the manga and I never watched the anime, but I liked the plot. The game has a musou style, and by that everything should be dynamic. The problem is it isn't. The characters fight in a slow way, making the gameplay dull. It was suposed to be faster, since they're melee fighters. But I think that's the main problem. It has a good set of characters toGreat graphics and story. I didn't read the manga and I never watched the anime, but I liked the plot. The game has a musou style, and by that everything should be dynamic. The problem is it isn't. The characters fight in a slow way, making the gameplay dull. It was suposed to be faster, since they're melee fighters. But I think that's the main problem. It has a good set of characters to play and various modes. It's a little repetitive, but that may be the general problem with the musou style.…Expand

As a fan of the mindless action of the Dynasty Warriors series, I picked this game up, despite never laying eyes on the anime. Nothing ground breaking here, but it was a fun distraction. Because I had no connection to the anime, it was hard to get into the story, and i never really cared too much for it, but if you loved the anime, you're crazy not to play this. Otherwise, it's worth theAs a fan of the mindless action of the Dynasty Warriors series, I picked this game up, despite never laying eyes on the anime. Nothing ground breaking here, but it was a fun distraction. Because I had no connection to the anime, it was hard to get into the story, and i never really cared too much for it, but if you loved the anime, you're crazy not to play this. Otherwise, it's worth the money buying it used.…Expand

This game isn't trying to become the next great pinnacle of gaming. It's trying to accomplish something that people used to enjoy in games, having fun. Remember when a game that was just plain fun was all that you needed to have to enjoy yourself? Well this game not only accomplishes that but also remains extremely faithful to to not only the source material, but also the game Koei hasThis game isn't trying to become the next great pinnacle of gaming. It's trying to accomplish something that people used to enjoy in games, having fun. Remember when a game that was just plain fun was all that you needed to have to enjoy yourself? Well this game not only accomplishes that but also remains extremely faithful to to not only the source material, but also the game Koei has become synonymous for. So if you're a fan of the series or you just want a game where you can kick back and blast people into puddles of intestines (Love you Roah), then please rent/buy this game. It may not change your life, but it will definitely make it a little more entertained.…Expand

As mentioned in one of them,if you're a fan of First of the North Star,you must get this game now!! It just is THAT good. They've followed the story perfectly. Sure the levels might look a little samey but that's just a minor problem. The characters themselves are quite well rendered,well fleshed out and wonderfully voicedThis game deserves a chance...Don't let the reviews fool you..

As mentioned in one of them,if you're a fan of First of the North Star,you must get this game now!! It just is THAT good. They've followed the story perfectly. Sure the levels might look a little samey but that's just a minor problem. The characters themselves are quite well rendered,well fleshed out and wonderfully voiced both in English and Japanese. Normally, the English dubs are quite horrendous but not so in this case! The fighting is not the most fluid as some characters(Kenshiro,Raoh etc) because they're not meant to be speedy. The Nanto fighters are just amazing to play as and so are the other characters. There's nothing quite as entertaining and awesome as watching Kenshiro wail at opponents with the Hyakuretsu Ken (Hokuto Hundred Crack Fist) :)....

Overall, I think this is an EXCELLENT game. No seriously. I'm not going to trade in or sell this game for a LONG time. Not until I max out every character that is ;). Thank god that some developers appeal to retro gamers.Thanks for the great game Koei!!…Expand

A Great Game, I SPit on the reviewers who never gave this game a chance, i never watched the anime, but this game apprantly follows it well, its interesting, there is eng and jap voices, english is nice, Kenshiro sounds badass and i love the way he says the Hokuto Signature moves in japanese in his english voice, There are only 9 Characters but all have 8 signature moves which are badassA Great Game, I SPit on the reviewers who never gave this game a chance, i never watched the anime, but this game apprantly follows it well, its interesting, there is eng and jap voices, english is nice, Kenshiro sounds badass and i love the way he says the Hokuto Signature moves in japanese in his english voice, There are only 9 Characters but all have 8 signature moves which are badass and great combos, the graphics are nice, showing the wasteland feel to the game. Jagi is a badass character to play as... if you love Beat em ups with a great story and badassery GET THIS GAME NOWWWW!…Expand

Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage isn't a groundbreaking game. It isn't even very good looking (sans the cutscenes which run at a very smooth 60fps), but it is a hell of a lot of fun to play. The game tells a portion of the story from the original manga series, and while there are some great looking cutscenes throughout, there's a lot of the story missing here. It only hits on the majorFist of the North Star: Ken's Rage isn't a groundbreaking game. It isn't even very good looking (sans the cutscenes which run at a very smooth 60fps), but it is a hell of a lot of fun to play. The game tells a portion of the story from the original manga series, and while there are some great looking cutscenes throughout, there's a lot of the story missing here. It only hits on the major action set pieces, and throughout playing it, you'll realize there happens to be a good bit of story missing here. However, even if Fist of the North Star is a dearly beloved manga series, I don't think anyone will be worried too much with how this game's story folds out. It does get the job done. The main reason to play this is for the gameplay, and that's where this game shines. It's a straightforward Dynasty Warriors style beat 'em up, and this is easily the best game in the genre. When playing as Kenshiro, you don't use weapons. Unless you count those ridiculously badass fists of his as weapons; and you should. The moves and brutal violence in this game are completely over the top, and this game is better for it. When you punch 4 or 5 people at the same time in the face and watch their heads f-ing EXPLODE, you'll feel accomplished. The really amazing thing about that is there's no tongue in cheek humor here regarding the violence. The game plays it straight, and it really fits in well with Fist of the North Star canon. The levels in this game are absolutely massive for the type of game this is, and some can take 45 minutes to an hour to complete. All the while facing off hordes of gang members. At the end of each level, you'll face a boss. While some people would call these bosses cheap, I call them an accomplishment. I feel like it's been a long, long time since I've faced so many bosses that were this good. Sure, they can block your attacks, once you break their defense with, say, a kick, it's hard to situate yourself to attack before they get their guard back up, but the more you play this game, the more you'll be thankful for these bosses. They help make an otherwise mediocre game great. Plus, if you learn to use the skill tree in the meridian chart correctly, you won't have much trouble. Still a challenge, but minimal trouble. Speaking of the meridian chart, that is this game's way of leveling up your character. And oh boy, this thing right here, really, really makes this game much deeper than it ever deserved to be. FOTNS:KR could have really suffered the fate of being a flat out boring game. The core gameplay here is decent enough, but once you add the leveling system with these outstanding boss battles, you're left with a great game. My first playthrough of this lasted around 20 hours or so, and that was with one character. There are more characters to unlock in the main story mode, "legend mode," to make this game much longer. Then there's dream mode, another story mode in this game with even more characters to unlock. Dream mode plays like a classic Dynasty Warriors game, with spots on the map to capture before the enemy does, and again, this makes an otherwise mediocre game so much more deep than it deserves, and it definitely benefits from this. Then there are the special moves. OH. MY. GOD. I don't even have words for these. They're amazing, and some of the most badass stuff you'll ever see in a video game. Just take my word for it. These are half the reason to play this game. All in all, Ken's rage doesn't look great, the metal music in the background can be annoying if that's not your thing, and the graphics can be somewhat drab. With all that being said, this is still one of my favorite video games ever made. It takes the beat 'em up/brawler genre and really runs with it. You'll have so much fun taking down wave after wave of enemies in so many different ways, that the rest of the game's presentation is forgivable. Just wait until you get to a rather tough boss fight and the game gets really intense. It's a wonderful experience. Ken's Rage is a game that deserves to be played. It's a callback to the great beat 'em ups of the 16-bit era, except that this is a third person 3D game. That's the only difference. Every time I play this, I feel like I'm playing a much deeper version of Final Fight or something in that vein. Pick this one up, it's a great title with some very, very brutal gameplay Great boss fights. Great special moves. Great cutscenes. Absolutely amazing game.…Collapse

First of the North Star, as a modification of Dynasty Warriors, is a good idea quite well executed. It has its own touch and personality, without differentiating itself too much from the series tradition.

Although Fist of the North Star is far from beeing perfect, its intense atmosphere and engaging battles will surely manage to please any fan of the anime or manga... but if you're not among them, you should definitely look somewhere else.